I have been using a long-winded process to reduce some extraneous noise when digitizing mono vinyl sources. With Sound Forge, I have been subtracting the difference between the two channels of my records, on the assumption that most of it is noise, and the resultant files are usually audibly better.

1. Invert the phase of one of the two channels on the original .wav file (1.wav).2. Convert to mono by mixing the channels.3. Save the difference (noise file) as a mono .wav file (2.wav).4. Re-open the original "stereo" file (1.wav).5. Convert to mono by mixing the two channels.6. Save the sum as a mono .wav file (3.wav).7. Open original "stereo" file (1.wav).8. Open difference (noise) file (2.wav), copy it and overwrite onto left channel of 1.wav.9. *edit* Invert noise channel.10. Open sum file (3.wav), copy it and overwrite onto right channel of 1.wav.11. Convert to mono by mixing the two channels.12. Save changes to 1.wav.

Is there an audio editor that will allow me to subtract the difference of a stereo file in a single step, as it would save me a lot of time, and allow me to hear instantly whether the audio is significantly improved, without having to get confused by extra files? If I could work in flac, that would be even better.

If found the link below that references and old version of Cool Edit, but I gather that's been discontinued.

Rather than saying "it won't work", do you think either of you can try the foobar2k keep centre channel plug-in? Or post an audio extract I can test it with?

My home audio set up is currently in pieces, and I don't have a "mono record, recorded in stereo, declicked and decrackled, but not yet converted back to mono" to test.

From simulation (mixing in run-in groove noise and clicks with various panning), it seems that this plug-in does offer some advantage to a plain old "sum both channels" at the end of the job, but I suspect with a real recording and all its vagaries this advantage could reduce dramatically.

If you can test a real recording in foobar2k, or upload a 30 second extract of a mono restoration, just before the final mixdown to mono, so I can test it myself, that would be great.

If I do test, I'll upload my results for all to hear, but I need some source material!

Cheers,David.

(I'm ashamed I haven't got a single archived track to test this on, but I have never saved the result at this stage!)